As the basketball regular season ends and the state playoffs begin, there can be a sense of it being a second season. Lessons learned from the regular season help to inform postseason preparation, but the level of competition increases with each round of eliminations. Knowing what to expect is one thing, but executing that expectation always depends on many variables.
One of those variables is the effectiveness of shooting. Players are said to be on a "hot-streak" when they knock down shot after shot, but the opposite can also be true—a "cold-streak" of frustrating misses. Campbell and Pebblebrook both experienced this in their Final Four games last night at Buford Arena.
For Campbell, outside shooting was a dependable method of scoring for the Lady Spartans. Likewise for the Falcon boys. Both teams used "hot-streak" shooting to rally come-from-behind victories this season. And both teams experienced the discouraging "cold-streak" last night as they watched shot after outside shot drift off-target.
In Campbell's game against the Norcross Blue Devils, the Lady Spartans started strong, dominating the first quarter with stingy defense and productive offense. It looked to be Campbell's night as the Spartans were up 14-5. The second quarter was a different story though, as Norcross opened lanes inside and buried outside shots on a 20-0 run to flip the score at halftime, 27-21.
Campbell played from behind all third quarter, but showed signs of resolve midway through the final period. A basket by Nia Bozeman evened the score at 47-47, as Campbell fought to avoid elimination. A back-and-forth few minutes of play found the game tied again at 51-51. A back-breaking three-pointer by Norcross with less than a minute left gave the Blue Devils the lead, 54-51. It proved to be the final points in the game. The Lady Spartans ended their season with an overall record of 20-11.
Pebblebrook took the court immediately following Campbell. After beating Milton at home in an exciting Elite 8 matchup, the Falcons were tasked with an even tougher team in the Final Four—the Berkmar Pariots. With 6'9" menace Malique Ewin and 6'2" scoring machine Jameel Rideout, the Patriots are a very talented group and difficult at both ends of the court. Falcon head coach George Washington knew his team would be challenged all game.
After a fairly even first half, Pebblebrook was down by only four points, 26-22. The third quarter was more of the same. Berkmar slightly outscored the Falcons 17-15 to extend their lead, heading into the final quarter up six, 43-37. Playing from behind was not new territory for the Falcons. They made several dramatic comebacks this season, and a six-point deficit was not a reason for alarm.
A flurry of offense from both teams in the fourth was exciting to watch, but it became evident that Ewin's massive presence underneath was too much. Often requiring a defensive double-team, the focus on Ewin opened up lanes and outside shots for the rest of Berkmar's offense. The Patriots outscored the Falcons 29-21 in the last quarter to win the game by a comfortable margin of 72-58. The loss ended Pebblebrook's historic season with an overall record of 28-3.
Great seasons Campbell and Pebblebrook. You both provided thrills and great basketball all season. We will see you next season!
Cobb Schools continues its Final Four games today with the Harrison Girls facing Archer at the Buford Arena, and the Kell Girls taking on Sequoyah at UWG. Good luck, ladies!
